RIGGERS 6th Oct 05

11. A.O.B

1. A letter had been received from Bill Sharp, which had been circulated to those present regarding Tandem Sigma reserves and Pro-Packing.

Bill Sharp wished to bring to the attention of the Committee that Relative Workshop had recently released an online copy of the Tandem Sigma system manual. (http://www.relativeworkshop.com/support_manuals.html)

In this manual, RWS show and approve an ‘on the floor’ version of pro-packing their reserves (VTC 360), into their Tandem Sigma system. In the past, their Tandem Vector manual showed a flat packing method. This ‘pro-packing’ method now conflicts with a previous Riggers Committee ruling (19 June 1997) that pro packing was not applicable or acceptable for the packing of Tandem reserves.

Bill Sharp had stated that the Riggers Committee recently issued a Safety Information (No 01/05) – Packing Manuals, which stipulated to reserve packers, the importance of following manufacturer’s packing instructions and that they must have the manuals to hand.

As it had been stated in the past that Tandem reserves must not be pro-packed. Bill Sharp had expressed some concern that because of the item in the new RWS Tandem Sigma Manual that actually recommends it. He did not want people to think that every Tandem reserve should or must now be pro-packed just because RWS are stating they are happy with it going into their system.

Following some discussion, it was decided by those present to rescind the rule (above) from the rule in the Minutes of 19 June 1997 and refer to BPA Safety Information (No. 01/05) – Packing Manuals, which stipulated to reserve packers, the importance of following manufacturer’s packing instructions and that they must have the manuals to hand.